Standards Commission for Scotland

The Standards Commission is concerned with ethical conduct. It deals with complaints of misconduct against individual members. It does not deal with issues of maladministration; these are matters for the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.

The Commission was established under the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000. The Commission Members are appointed by the Scottish Parliament but are expected to be independent of government in its workings. The current convener is Kevin Dunion.

Codes of Conduct

The Commission provide guidance and training on the application of the Codes to assist in promoting high standards of conduct.

The Commission publishes a Code of Conduct for Councillors, which sets out the standards of behaviour expected of councillors in Scotland. The first version came into force in May 2003. The most recent version came into force on 21 December 2015. Local authorities are encouraged also to establish their own codes of conduct (consistent with the Standards Commission's) and to enforce these codes themselves.

There is a model code of conduct produced for members of devolved bodies.

3 more chapters are free with a Lably account.

Commission membership

The Commission comprises a Convener and four Commission Members who are appointed by the Scottish Parliament. Kevin Dunion is the current Convener, taking up the position on 1 February 2017.

The Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland

In addition to the Commission, the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 established the office of the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland (formerly known as the Chief Investigating Officer). The Commissioner is not a part of the Commission but has a duty to investigate complaints of misconduct referred to him. He is not entirely independent though; he must comply with any directions given by the Commission, which may not however direct him as to how to carry any particular investigation out.

Public Bodies under the Standards Commission's Supervision

The Commission has authority over:

32 local authorities and 105 other public bodies. Community councils are not under this authority.

The Devolved Public Bodies over which the Commission has authority are:

The Accounts Commission for Scotland
The Crofters Commission
The Deer Commission for Scotland
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
The Parole Board for Scotland
Scottish Agricultural Wages Board
The Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board
The Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Scottish Enterprise
The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland
The National Galleries of Scotland Board of Trustees
The Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh Board of Trustees
The Scottish Arts Council
Scottish Natural Heritage
The Trustees of the National Library of Scotland
The National Museums of Scotland Board of Trustees
The Scottish Tourist Board
Area tourist boards
41 Colleges of further education
The Scottish Further Education Funding Council
The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council
The Scottish Qualifications Authority
The Clinical Standards Board for Scotland
The NHS National Services Scotland
Healthcare Improvement Scotland
14 NHS Health boards
NHS Health Scotland
The Health Technology Board for Scotland
The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland
Scottish Ambulance Service Board
The NHS Education for Scotland
Scottish Hospital Endowments Research Trust
The Scottish Medical Practices Committee
The State Hospitals Board for Scotland
Scottish Children's Reporter Administration
Scottish Homes
The Scottish Legal Aid Board
The Scottish Sports Council
The Water Authorities